Grab users in Singapore will need to watch the clock more carefully starting July 18 as the company has announced that it will be cutting the current 5-minute grace period between a driver arriving at the pickup point and when customers will start to be charged down to just 3 minutes.
In addition, customers should also be aware that the ride-hailing company will charge users of its standard services SG$3 for each 5-minute block of time that the driver waits after the 3-minute grace period is over. GrabCar Premium users will pay SG$5 per 5-minute waiting block.
This table from Grab’s website shows a breakdown of the grace periods and wait time charges for their various services.
In a notification that appeared in some users Grab apps (not ours though!) the company justified the change by saying, “Less waiting time will mean more rides to go around.”
Many commenters on social media complained about the new policy, with some noting that Grab doesn’t do anything to compensate customers when they are left waiting for drivers.
